Sandburg: A word magician

Carl Sandburg had a magical way with words. Though he often used simple words, he combined them in a way that empowered them.

In his poem, PASSERS-BY, Sandburg seeks to create an experience. He reflects upon the looks on their faces, now reduced to "flash memories." He remembers the way their movements and voices awakened the city. He especially remembers the lean people. Why his eyes gravitated to them and his mind chose to etch them within its memory is unclear, but that's what they did.

PASSERS-BY

PASSERS-BY,
Out of your many faces
Flash memories to me
Now at the day end
Away from the sidewalks
Where your shoe soles traveled
And your voices rose and blend
To form the city's afternoon roar
Hindering an old silence.

Passers-by,
I remember lean ones among you,
Throats in the clutch of a hope,
Lips written over with strivings,
Mouths that kiss only for love.
Records of great wishes slept with,
Held long
And prayed and toiled for. .

Yes,
Written on
Your mouths
And your throats
I read them
When you passed by.